Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-16
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
TALK ABOUT THE SURPLUS
Lively Political Debate in the House.
A Holiday Recess Resolution Passed.
House Of Representatives.

4 HOLlDAf RECESS FROM DECEMBER ~ TO JAN.
UARY 4.
MIR. Hatch (Mo.) submitted a concurrent resolu-
tion that when the two houses adjourn on Mon
DAY, December 10, they stand adjourned until
Thursday, January
Mr.. Reed (4Ie.) inquired the reason for the SUBJ
missiono OF this resolution.
Mr.. Hatch replied that it was the usual resolu-
tion brought in at the first session Of Congress.
The House had been In session since the first Mon
day in December 1t was well known that MOTH
ing had been accomplished. The House was wait
ing for the Speaker to announce the committees,
and he iHatch) was satisfied from his personal
knowledge, and from what he had seen OF the oc-
cupatton OF the Speakers time by members inter-
saa esseT IN cEseee ass,gnmenss snat was I'M
until after the holiday recess. He had submitted
the resolution as much in the interest OF public
business as for the comfort and OF the
Speaker.
Mr.. REED ON THE BUSINESS CONDITION OF THE
COUNTRY.
Mr.. Reed said that the peculiar condition OF the
business affairs of the country rendered the ac-
tion which had been taken, or rather the nom
action which had been suffered by the democratic
side OF the House, matter OF legitimate COM
ment, both here and before the country. Take 1t
all in all 1t was. without precedent. Many
changes in the rules of the House had been
suggested, but had not been acted upon, and yet
1t was proposed that the House adjourn for the
had been the custom to begin at the opening OF
the session. II there were no matters OF public
interest before the country such a course might
awaken only passing comment; but to-day
Congress was pressed upon by a serious public
duty, which was the reduction Of q surplus which
was coming into the Treasury IN manner calcu-
lated, under the management OF the Treasury
department, to be an embarrassment to the
finances OF the country. All were agreed, at
plus should be reduced, and the republicans
stood ready now to make one reduction to which
the other side was agreed, and that was in refer
tunity would be given them by the powers that be,
or were to be, to vote thereon and show to the
country some proper disposition in this regard. II
the gentlemen on the other side fOundlt somewhat
dificut to arrange themselves alongside OF the re-
cent message which had been sent them, that the
their assurances OF most profound sympathy.
(Laughterl The message was to some democrats
a summons from very great ways OF, and II re
quired that they should traverse a very great dis
tance before they could get alongside OF their
pioneer brother at the end of the Avenue.
II time was wanted for that purpose he hoped that
the gentleman from Missouri would frankly say so.
[I.aughterl. II gentlemen on the other side were
In grave doubt how they should comply with the
suggestions OF the message II after they had made
up 5ir minds in the interest OF moderation and
reform, that the most advanced Of them would be
content with the destruction OF q few OF our in
dustries and they needed time to select those they
saw hit 10 destroy, that would be ground for this
motion, and he hoped the gentleman would say II
that was the reason underneath.
MR.. HATCH REPLIES.
MIR. Hatch said that he had hoped that he could
yield the floor to the gentleman from Maine with
out that gentleman improving his opportunity to
make political harangue. He did not think that
the gentleman had improved it mu, b, because he
had not had an s time and again dunR
the Fortynnth Congress TO vote for the constdera-
tion OF a tariff bill, and had not always voted
talk to-day. [Applause.l Time and again the
democratic side OF the House had rendered to the
other side an opportunity TO reduce taxation and
Maine by his voice and his vote had always stood,
as the leader OF his party, to resist it. The demo-
cratic side would give the gentleman an early op-
tion and vote for reduction Of the tariff II he
wished TO.
Mr.. Reed-why not now?
Mr.. Hatch-The gentleman knows why not now
and the gentleman knows that that Is clap-trap.
Until the committee on ways and means Is ap-
pointed and bills are sent to that committee, the
gentleman knows that there can be no fair con-
sideration OF this question. 1t Is to give the
Speaker the Opportunity 70 form committees in
that offer the resolution.
COMMENTS OF MR. COX.
Mr.. Cox IN. W commented on what be termed
the sudden conversion OF the gentleman from
Maine. He did not think that there had been such
a sudden conversion since the time Of Saul Of Tar
sus. [Laughter.1 He did not know why the gel-
tleinan should urge upon the Speaker an imma-
ture making up OF the committees. The House
was without rules, and 1t had no committee
framed for the consideration OF the reduction OF
the tobacco tax. In matter Of SO much conse-
quence the House should give to the Speaker the
same opportunity which had been accorded
other Speakers. 1t was known that the
Treasury had plethora which .paralyzed
the channels Of trade and hurt the
farmer and artisan, and that there must be some
relief; and 1t came with little grace from the gen.
teman from Maine TO make this sinister and iron
ana Hs coud ecs the Se time @ sn he
eminent men on the other side OF the House had
insisted upon the reduction OF the tarf to prevent
the accumulation Of a surplus. Among the rest
had been the gallant man from Maine, with the
white plume. Among them had been Frye and
Hale, insisting on the reduction OF the tax
on salt and other articles, except lumber
lLaughter.l He would like 10 see every man
In the House regard this fiscal gues-
ness question in every sense OF the word There
were members OF Congress from republican
States, ike Minnesota, demanding reduction Of
taxes, but this could not be done by picking out
one article. II must be general it must be stable
and permanent. lie hoped that when tarin bill
considered all parties would unite and act for
the best interests or the whole people and not for
the aggrandiZement OF one man or one set Of men
or one party. [Applause.]
THE HOLIDAY RESOLUTION MODIFIED AND AGREED TO.
Mr.. Mills Tex.) offered as a substitute for Mr..
Hatchs resolution resolution declaring that
when the two houses adjourn on Thursday, Decem-
Der 22, they stand adjourned until wednesday,
January 4.
Mr.. Hatch accepted the substitute, and the reso.
LUTON as modified was agreed to.
AS TO INTRODUCTION OF BILLS.
Mr.. Townshend Qll) offered q resolution provid-
ing that Monday next shall be devoted to intro
duction and reference OF bills and resolutions
This resolution gave rise to some discussion its
advocates urging that If bills were introduced be-
fore the holiday recess they could be returned from
the Printing Office in time to be referred to the
committees when appointed, while its opponents
contended that the Introduction OF bills before the
announcement OF committees would lead to great
confusion and delay.
Mr.. Randall lPennsylvania) suggested that the
resolution be laid over until Monday, on which
day he understood the committee on rules would
he announced. This resolution met with favor,
and the resolution was accordingly laid over.
CHRISTMAS MONEY FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
On motion OF Mr.. Springer, OF Illinois, o resolu-
tion was adopted for the payment OF the monthly
salaries OF the employees OF the House on Decem-
Der %
ADJOURNED TILL MONDAY.
Mr.. Blanchard Ua.) offered a resolution express
sive Of the regret with which the House has heard
Of the death Of E. W. Robertson, late a member
elect to the Fiftieth Congress from louisiana and
then, as mark or respect to the memory OF the
deceased, the House, at 12:4j, adjourned until
MONDAY.
COuamittee Reports.
THE COMPLETION OF AN IMPORTANT WORK.,
Senator Manderson, chairman OF the joint CON-
mittee on printing, has prepared circular letter
to the chairmen Of the committees OF poth Houses
OF Congress- giving them notice OF the completion
OF an important work authorized by the last Con-
gress, and entrusted to the committee printing
This was the gathering together, indexing and
binding Of complete sets OF reports OF each COM
mittee. The work has, the circular says been &C
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